ENZYME specialist Biocatalysts is to move to a new headquarters and double its workforce.

ENZYME specialist Biocatalysts is to move to a new headquarters and double its workforce.

The company, which makes a range of enzymes for worldwide food producers, is investing &#xA3;2m in a new facility in Treforest.

Biocatalysts is making the move to Cefn Coed, Parc Nantgarw, to enable it to keep up with production and expand its research and development space.

Relocating early next year from its current home on the nearby Treforest Industrial Estate, the 23,000sq ft new building will incorporate 17,000sq ft of R&D and production facilities, with an additional 6,000sq ft of offices.

All existing 26 staff will make the move, and the company intends to take on roughly the same amount of additional new employees.

Stuart West, managing director, Biocatalysts, said, "Biocatalysts has been situated in Treforest for 18 years. The company's present site, within 10 minutes of a major motorway and 30 minutes from the nearest international airport make it an ideal location for a company that operates on an international basis.

"It was fortunate therefore when a plot of land became available within one mile of our current facility that was ideally suited not only for our new building but also with further land included that would satisfy future needs.

"The new facility will give us expanded research and development and production facilities and to ensure that the transition is as seamless as possible we are keeping our existing factory open with production continuing from there until well past the actual move date."

Biocatalysts new site was acquired for the company by the Cardiff office of commercial property agents Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH).

Steve Matheson of LSH said,

"We were retained by Biocatalysts to identify a suitable site or building which could be operational between January and April of 2004.

"The location of the new facility was essential, as the firm required a modern business park environment in-keeping with its international profile.

"However due to the lack of suitable existing buildings, Biocatalysts agreed on a design and build option at Cefn Coed to be developed by the Charmwood Group following its acquisition of the site from the Welsh Development Agency earlier this year.

"Detailed planning consent was awarded in April 2003 and construction is now underway and due for completion by April 2004."

Biocatalysts has been trading from Treforest for 18 years, and today exports some 75% of its production.

Aiming to turnover &#xA3;5m a year by 2005 it produces a range of natural enzymes, including one which is used by fruit drink manufacturers to remove the skin from oranges and other citrus fruits before the juice is pressed.

The enzyme is injected just under the surface of the fruit and quickly works to loosen the skin, meaning no laborious manual pealing is required.

Currently turning over &#xA3;2.5m per annum, Biocatalysts has seen year-on-year 18% growth.